Device for stretching suspended fabric ceiling.



F. E. McCOMB.

DEVICE FOR STRETCHING SUSPENDED FABRIC CElLlNG.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. I8, 1916.

Patented Mar. 20, 1917.

UNITED STATES FATE OFFIC.

FREDERICK E. MCVCOMB, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

DEVICE FOR STRETCHING SUSPENDED FABRIC CEILING.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 20, 1917.

Application filed March 18, 1916. Serial No. 85,127.

vented a new and useful Device for Stretching Suspended Fabric Ceiling, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a device to be used in constructing a suspended fabric ceiling, and more particularly to means for stretching said fabric ceiling to eliminate the slack or sagging appearance which might occur in the constructing of said ceilings.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple and efficient device that may readily be applied to the furring to which the fabric ceiling is to be secured, said device being adapted to grip a portion of said fabric and operated until the desired tension is produced on said fabric.

l/Vith this and other objects in View my invention consists in a novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and more specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawing I have shown my invention sufiicient to enable those skilled in the art to understand the construction and operation thereof.

Referring to the drawing Figure 1, is a front view of my stretching GViCC.

Fig. 2, is an end view of the device shown at Fig. 1, viewing in direction of arrow a, same figure.

Fig. 3, is a sectional View, taken on line 33, Fig. 1, viewing in direction of arrow 5 same figure.

In the accompanying drawing 10 is the main frame having end projections 11 and 12 formed integral therewith.

13 is a rod or bar, said bar being loosely mounted in the end projections 11 and 12; said rod 13 has secured therein a plurality of gripping pins 14.

5 is a gear secured on the end 13 of the rod 13, said gear 15 meshing with and being operated by a second gear 16, said gear 16 being loosely mounted on a stud 17 secured in the end projection 11, said stud 17 has also loosely mounted thereon an operating lever 18. Loosely mounted on a stud 19, secured in the operating lever 18, is a reversible ratchet pawl 20, said pawl engaging the gear 16, and of such construction as to allow the gear 16, to be revolved in either direction, as desired.

21 is a reversible hold pawl, loosely mounted on a stud 22 secured in the end projection 11, said pawl engaging the gear 16 and preventing said gear 16 from revolving in the opposite direction from which it is being operated by the lever, 18 and pawl 20.

23 is a guard bar having one end pivoted at 2% to the end projection 11, the opposite end of said bar 23 being retained within a flange recess 25, at the end projection 12 by means of a spring 26 secured at 27 to said end projection 12.

By means of the spring 26 beingcompressed within the recess and against the end projection 12 the guard 23 may be swung downwardly allowing the operator to pass the fabric under said guard 23 and around the roll l3 as will hereinafter be described.

At Fig. 3, I have shown my device in operative position,1the projections 11 and 12 of the ends 11 and 12 extending upward between the wall 28 and the furring 29 which is secured to the ceiling 30; the main frame 10 bearing against the wall 28.

One side of the fabric 31 to be stretched is secured to a furring (not shown), the opposite side being severed in suitable widths to be passed around the roll 13, the guard 23 being removed.

I have shown at Fig. 3, the fabric 31 only partially engaged upon the roll 13, but, which maybe, if desired, engaged upon the entire circumference of said roll 13.

After the fabric has been started upon.

the roll 13, the guard 23 is then replaced, and through the operating lever 18 and gears 15 and 16 said roll 13 is revolved until the desired tension is produced upon the section of fabric 31, and said fabric secured to the furring 29. The section of fabric- 31 being secured to the furring 29, the pawls 20 and 21 are reversed allowing the fabric, wound upon said roll 13, to be unwound.

This operation is repeated with the different severed sections of the fabric 13 11111111 a uniform tension is produced uponthe entire ceiling area.

having thus described my invention it will be evident that many changes and modifications may be made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope thereof and therefore I do not wish to be limited to the specific details herein disclosed, but what I do claim 1. A fabric stretching device comprising, in combination, a main frame, a roll having pro ections thereon mounted Within said frame, means for revolving said roll in either direction, means for retaining said frame in its desired position, said means comprising an L shaped section which will engage the face and side of a furring.

'2. A fabric stretching device comprising,

in combination, a main frame, a roll having pro ect10ns thereon mounted Within said frame, a removable guard for said r011, means for rotating said roll in either direction, means for retaining said frame in a desired position, said means being substantially L shape in section.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

FREDERICK E. h/ICCOhLiB.

Witnesses ERNEST R. LLEWELLYN, Gno. B. SMITH.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

